Chronic hepatitis C virus infection: Enhanced expression of suppressor of cytokine signalling-1 in hepatic cells and its role in response to interferon therapy

Expression of Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling-1 [SOCS-1] in liver tissues of chronic hepatitis C patients [CMC] and to assess whether SOCS-1 had any relationship to resistance to interferon-a [INF-alpha] therapy. RT-PCR was done on hepatic tissues obtained from 42 CMC patients before starting of INF-alpha therapy and 26 controls without CMC with normal livers for detection of SOCS-1 mRNA. And also, on serum samples collected from CMC patients at the end of treatment by INF-alpha to assess respond to therapy. SOCS-1 expression in hepatic tissues of CMC patients in a significant higher incidences than controls [p<0.0001]. The response to INF- alpha therapy was found in [30.9%] of CMC patients. There is over-expression of SOCS-1 in hepatic tissues from non-responders to INF- alpha therapy [96.6%]. SOCS-1 expression is enhanced in the livers of CMC patients and involved in resistance to INF- alpha therapy

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the lungs: CD[+4] T cells and CD[+8] T cells in peripheral blood and their relation to disease outcome

To determine the frequency of CD[+4] and CD[+8] T-cells in peripheral blood [Pb] in the patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the lungs and to assess their roles in disease recovery. Flow cytometric analysis of the Pb from 41 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and 20 healthy individuals as controls for determination the frequency of CD[+4] and CD[+8] T-cells in Pb. the frequency of CD[+4] and CD[+8] T-cells in Pb from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was higher than controls [p<0.001 and 0.05 respectively]. The frequency of CD[+4] T-cells was higher than CD[+8] T-cells in Pb of pulmonary tuberculosis patients. The rate of recovery from active pulmonary tuberculosis was inversely related to the frequency of CD[+4] and CD[+8] T-cells being higher in SR, but less in RR and IR. More CD[+8] T-cells producing IFN-y, while more CD[+4] T-cells producing IL-10. there was a higher frequency of CD[+4] T cells in Pb of active pulmonary tuberculosis. The recovery from this disease requires fine balance between CD[+4] c CD[+8] T cells in Pb

Gram stain versus culture in the diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis

We evaluated Gram stain as a rapid diagnostic method for vulvovaginal candidiasis [VVC]. Vaginal swabs were taken from 100 pregnant women and subjected to Gram stain and culture; 39% were diagnosed as having VVC [29% had symptomatic VVC and 10% had asymptomatic VVC]. Candida albicans was isolated from 94.9% of all cultures while other Candida species were isolated from 5.1% of cases. Multigravidae were significantly more affected than primigravidae. Gram stain is a valuable method in rapid accurate diagnosis of symptomatic VVC and even superior to culture as it demonstrates the invasive forms of the yeast. However, its low sensitivity could restrict its use in routine practice. A combination of culture and Gram stain is the ideal approach for the diagnosis of VVC

Ringworm of the scalp in primary-school children in Alexandria: infection and carriage

A total of 510 children from a primary school in Alexandria were examined for tinea capitis, and samples were taken from their scalps. Specimens were examined by direct microscopy and were cultured. Diagnosis was by clinical and mycological findings. Clinical evidence of pediculosis capitis was found in 54.1% of children, more commonly in girls. Dermatophytes were isolated from 7.4% of scalp samples [2.9% confirmed cases, 4.5% carriers]. A further 2% were suspected cases as they were negative by mycology. Most of the children were under 10 years and none was aware of having the infection. All isolates were identified as Trichophyton violaceum